Penticton group posts Lyme Sucks Challenge video

PENTICTON – A Penticton group has put out a YouTube video with a twist on last summer’s “Ice Bucket Challenge” in an attempt to raise awareness about Lyme Disease.

The Penticton B.C. and Area Lyme Group recently put together the video as part of the “Lyme Sucks Challenge,” which started last October.

Video producer Gary McDougall said he was looking for an entertaining way to get the message across about Lyme disease.

Rules of the Lyme Challenge require the participant to film themselves sucking half a lime. Participants then nominate three others to take the Lyme Sucks Challenge, and post the video to social media. Finally. participants are asked to donate $10 to a lyme disease research organization.

McDougall’s interest in the campaign stems from the fact his wife, Sue, suffers from the disease.

“Of the eight people in the video, five have Lyme Disease,” McDougall said.

Sue McDougall can’t recall exactly when she contracted the disease, sometime between 2007 and 2009, she thinks.  She’s currently undergoing treatment, but still has some symptoms of the disease.

“Initially, those with Lyme Disease are misdiagnosed, when they could be easily treated during the disease’s early stages,” she said, noting many patients end up seeking treatment in the U.S. because doctors in Canada don’t know what to look for.

The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation calls Lyme Disease a serious threat that is on the rise in Canada, adding treatment and public awareness are largely inadequate. More information can be found at the foundation’s website located at: www.CanLyme.org

May is traditionally recognized as Lyme Awareness Month.

%%Embed1%%

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.